Children’s In-Home Crisis Stabilization Program
Providing short-term, in-home crisis intervention for children and their families to prevent psychiatric hospitalization or out-of-home placement.
About the Children’s In-Home Crisis Stabilization Program
The Children’s In-Home Crisis Stabilization program (CIHCS) is a 21-day field-based crisis intervention program that supports children aged five to eighteen and their families in Orange County during a mental health crisis.
Partner
The Health Care Agency of Orange County
Length
21 days
Cost
No cost
Eligibility
Referrals accepted from CHOC, UCI, CAT, and other approved sources
Audience
Children aged 5 to 18 years of age living in Orange County experiencing a mental health crisis (e.g., suicidal ideation, self-harm) who are referred by eligible providers
Languages
English and Spanish (access to a language line for threshold languages)
Program Director
Janel Falcon
Clinical director
Julia De Almeida
Associate Supervisor
Estrella Tamburro
What We Address
The CIHCS program helps stabilize children experiencing mental health crises by providing immediate in-home crisis intervention, therapy, case management and parent-partner services while working to prevent psychiatric hospitalization or out-of-home placement. Families are engaged throughout the process.
Stabilization
In-home crisis intervention
Therapy
Case management
Program Elements
This program is structured around four core elements that focus on crisis intervention, ongoing support, and connecting individuals and families to the necessary resources.
Immediate Crisis Response
Offers rapid, field-based crisis intervention within 75 minutes of referral, providing crucial support to children and families during mental health emergencies.
Comprehensive Therapeutic Services
Delivers short-term, intensive therapeutic services in the home, school, and community settings over a 3-week period, tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Family-Centered Support
Includes a Parent Partner in the treatment team, promoting a healthy family environment and equipping families with tools to support their child’s recovery.
Coordinated Care Management
Provides case management services to connect families with resources and facilitate smooth transitions to long-term care, ensuring continuous support beyond the program.
Program Timelines
The Children’s In-Home Crisis Stabilization Program follows a structured timeline to provide immediate intervention and continued support for the child and their family during the 21-day period.
Referral
Referrals are accepted from authorized sources such as CHOC, UCI, CAT, or other county-approved partners. The referral is reviewed to assess the child’s situation and determine if immediate action is needed.
Initial Response
If the situation is urgent, a clinician responds within 75 minutes to assess the child, provide crisis intervention, and initiate safety planning. Non-urgent cases are scheduled for intake based on availability.
Crisis Intervention
During the first few days, the clinician provides short-term, intensive therapy and interventions to stabilize the child’s mental health. This includes collaboration with the family to ensure their support.
Ongoing Support
The program continues to offer therapy and crisis management over the 21-day period while connecting the child and their family to ongoing mental health services and other relevant resources.
Funded by the Orange County Health Care Agency
Upcoming Events and Engagements
- Program Events
- SFYC Events
Oct 16, 2024
“Let’s Go Potty!” – Toilet Training – SPANISH
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